Apparatus for treating diseases.



N0. 68!,463. Patented Aug. 27, MIL

H. E. WAITE.

APPARATUS FOR TREATING DISEASES.

(Application fllzul Mar. 8. 1001.;

(No Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

HENRY E. WAITE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO B. E. HANFELD, OF SAME PLACE.

APPARATUS FOR TREATING DISEASES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 681,463, dated August 27, 1901.

Application filed March 8, 1901.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY E.WAI1E, a citizen of the United States, residingin the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Treating Diseases, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to the treatment of diseases of the human body by the application of electricity; and its object is to provide an improved means for applying a continuous galvanic current to the affected parts.

In certain muscular or nervous affections the muscular fiber and the nerves may be stimulated electrically, as by continuous or induced currents, or mechanically, as by intermittent pressure, beating, or kneading.

The effect of a substantially constant current of electricity of moderate strength upon the tissues of the body is not as evident as that efiect produced by variations in the intensity of the current, while the effect of making and breaking the circuit is to cause the muscles to respond with a twitch. I utilize, however, the electrolytic and catophoric eifects upon the body of a continuous current, and in conjunction therewith I apply to the part affected a form of mechanical stimulus.

It is of course true that the same strength of stimulus will act more powerfully upon a nerve than upon a muscle, and with my apparatus I may therefore supplement the weaker effect of electricity upon a muscle by a mechanical stimulus, avoiding the use of unnecessarily large currents. I thus combine the less evident, but nevertheless effective, results of the constant current with the distinctive efiects of mechanical stimu1us,the combination of the two proving much more effective than either alone.

The particular mechanical stimulus which I utilize is either a form of kneading motion or else gentle mechanical shocks,the strength and intensity of which may be varied within certain limits. In applying electricity to the body I impart the particular form of kneading or rocking motion desired to one of the electrodes which is in contact with the body, and in the accompanying drawings I have Serial No. 50,387. (No model.)

embodied my invention in a simple form of mechanical vibrator in circuit with a source of current, there being suitable electrical connections.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my apparatus, while Fig. 2 is a side elevation.

Referring to the drawings, A represents a frame of any suitable form and construction, but made of some electroconductive material and suitably insulated, as shown, insulating-casters a being provided. The frame carries a journal-box B for a shaft 0, adapted to be rotated by any suitable means, but, as shown, the shaft carries an insulated pulley D, which is connected with a motor E by means of a belt F. Means are provided upon the shaftfor imparting a reciprocating movement to an arm or arms which are to serve as the positive or negative electrode. This reciprocating motion may be produced from the rotating shaft in many ways, but for the sake of simplicity I have described an elementary form of mechanism. Each end of the shaft 0 after having been screw-threaded is cut away for a short distance at opposite ends of a diameter to form two flat sides and shoulders 6. Over these reduced ends may be fitted adjustable eccentrics G, formed of disks of electroconductive material,with slots H for the ends of the shaft G to enter up to the shoulders b. Upon the ends 0 of the shaft 0 may be arranged means for holding the disks upon the shaft, shown as countersunk nuts 0 screwed upon the shaft ends. By these means the throw of the eccentrics may be varied.

The arms to be vibrated, which are shown as metal rods I, are suitably attached to the eccentrics G, as by metal pins g.

It is evident from the construction described that the rotation of shaft 0 will impart a reciprocating motion to the arms I, the amplitude of which may be varied. It is intended, however, that the amplitude shall not exceed about two inchesthat is to say, the throw of the eccentrics may not be adjusted for a throw to exceed one inch. By this means very light and rapid blows may be struck with the outer end of a vibrating arm or a mere kneading motion may result. The

arms I may be used at difierent angles with the frame A, so that a direct or glancing blow may be delivered or a rubbing motion be produced, according to the relative positions of the patient and the arm. To the ends of the arms I may be attached some suitable mate rial, as a sponge 5, to form an electrode to be saturated with a medicating drug.

K represents a source of a continuous current of electricity, a battery being shown from which a wire may lead from one pole to the frame at 2, the current then being sup,- plied to electrode 5, while another Wire 3 leads from the other pole to an electrode 4. If desired, direct electrical connection may be made between one pole of the battery and electrode 5, as by wire 6. Should the electrodesand 5 be placed upon the patient, as indicated in Fig. 1, the circuit would be completed through the patient, and if 5 were the positive electrode saturated with a suitable drug electrodsmosis would take place at 5. By setting the shaft 0 in rotation at the same time I am able to combine the beneficial effects of electrical and mechanical stimulation.

Without limiting myself to the precise construction and arrangement of parts shown and described, I claim as my invention 1. In an apparatus for treating diseases the combination with a source of electricity, of 1 a mechanical vibrator, so arranged that the flow of electricity and the mechanical vibrations shall be simultaneous,'and means for varying the amplitude of said mechanical vibrations, substantially as described.

2. In an apparatus for treating diseases the combination with a source of continuous electric current, of a mechanical vibrator through which the electric current passes, for simultaneously administering electrical and mechanical stimuli, and means for varying the amplitude of the mechanical vibrations produced, substantially as described.

3. In an apparatus for treating diseases the combination with a source of electricity, of a vibrating electrode, for simultaneously administering mechanical and electrical treatment, substantially as described.

4:. In an apparatus for treating diseases the combination with a source of continuous elec tric current, of a vibrating electrode, for simultaneously administering mechanical and electrical treatment, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HENRY E. WAITE.

Vitnesses:

A. D. PEoK, O. E. FOSTER. 

